Method of knitting an elastic top stocking



Oct. 30, 1962 R, G. MAR UIS 3,060,709

METHOD OF KNITTING AN ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Filed March 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /o h a l L I iii. L w

INVENTOR. RAYMOND G. MARQUIS i -MM ATTORNEY Oct. 30, 1962 R. e. MARQUIS 3,060,709

METHOD OF KNITTING AN ELASTIC TOP STOCKING Filed March 20, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 25 g EC) 229 INVENTOR;

RAYMOND G1. MARQUIS ywam ATTORNEY wave at the tuck position.

3,060,709 NETHOD F KNITTING AN ELASTIC TOP STQCKING Raymond G. Marquis, Laconia, N.H., assignor to Cormier Hosiery Mills, Inc., Laconia, N.H., a corporation Filed Mar. 20, 1959, Ser. No. 800,869 3 Claims. (Cl. 66-9) This invention relates to a method of knitting an elastic type stocking having an elastic yarn interlaced in alternate needles in predetermined courses, preferably at regular intervals, and involving alternating or otherwise spaced tuck stitch sequences providing a novel raised pattern on the stocking top or leg, and to the stocking produced by such method. This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 604,- 589, filed August 15, 1956, now abandoned, which is a division of my copending application Serial No. 528,645, filed August 16, 1955, now U.S. Patent No. 2,765,643.

In accordance with the invention, the knitting sequence preferably involves a pre-set number of courses in which selected or alternate needles form and cast off regular stitches of non-elastic yarn and the intermediate or nonselected needles form tuck stitches of such yarn. This course sequence may be followed by a clearing course in which all needles knit and cast ofi, with the elastic yarn being fed below the latches and in front of every other needle and behind the intermediate needles, or alternatively the elastic yarn may be interlaced, as described, in one of the border tuck courses. Following this group of courses is the same pre-set number of courses of nonelastic yarn but, in this second sequence, the alternate, or certain or all of the previously selected, needles tuck and the intermediate or previously non-selected needles knit. This may be followed by a clearing course in which all needles knit and cast off, with the elastic yarn being fed below the latches and in front of every other needle and behind the inter-mediate needles. The first sequence is then repeated, including the elastic yarn interlacing course and the second sequence.

In starting the stocking, it is preferred to first feed several courses or rounds of the elastic yarn in front of every other needle and behind the intermediate needles during which courses the needles taking the elastic yarn at their front never rise to clearing level. The needles that took the rubber are then raised to the knit position and the intermediate, or certain non-selected, needles remain at the tuck position, and a non-elastic yarn is fed to all the needles which are then retracted to draw loops of the non-elastic yarn around the courses of the elastic yarn. Several courses may then be formed with the nonelastic yarn being fed to all the needles, but with alternate needles being raised to the clear position and intermediate or non-selected needles passing through the knitting These courses may be followed by a clearing course in which all needles are raised to the knit position, rubber is fed in front of alternate needles below their latches and in back of intervening needles while yarn is fed to all needles which then proceed to knit casting off the rubber along with yarn and yarn loopers that have been previously drawn.

Thereafter, the alternate needles, or certain of them, that knit during the several courses preceding the cleared course, tuck and the intermediate needles knit the inelastic yarn only, preferably for the same number of courses used during the first sequence. These courses may be followed by a clearing course during which an elastic yarn is interlaced to alternate needles the same as followed the first tuck course. The first described course sequence is then followed to complete the stocking top.

3,660,709 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 Due to the alternation of the tuck stitch sequences wherein certain unselected needles tuck followed by courses in which needles in the selected group tuck and the previously unselected needles knit, a novel and attractive raised pattern is produced on the stocking top. The elastic yarn interlaced at each clearing or border course, circumferential-1y of the stocking, provides adequate stretchability and a firm grip of the stocking on the leg.

The method is preferably performed on a sinker top circular knitting machine having a cylindrical bank of latch needles moved to the tuck stitch, and latch clearing positions by selective camming or pattern wheels. The sinker movement is at right angles to that of the needles. As the elastic yarn is fed to the hooks of every other needle, which needles are not cleared at this point, the elastic yarn is drawn down thereby into the throats of the sinkers which have been withdrawn outwardly. While all of the needles are at a low level such that the tops of their hooks are at or below the stitch drawing platform, the sinkers are moved inwardly toward the center of the needle cylinder. This inward movement causes the elastic yarn to be moved to the back of the intervening needles and, as the needles rise to the tuck or clearing level, the elastic yarn is held in the sinker throats at the same level as the previously formed stitch, the elastic yarn being in front of every other needle and in back of intervening needles. When the needles taking the elastic yarn clear, the elastic yarn is cast off with the old stitch as the needles take and knit an inelastic yarn, and the elastic yarn is thus interlaced into the fabric.

7 Reference is herein made to Page US. Patent 2,117,208.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing: 7 FIG. 1 is a some what schematic plan view of the sinkers and needles of a circular knitting machine showing the laying in of the elastic yarn to form the starting courses;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat schematic elevation view corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevation view of a sinker showing the elastic yarn of the starting courses laid in under the sinker or neb;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevation view illustrating the pulling of the regular yarn loops over the elastic yarn starting courses; 9

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but corresponding to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the knit and tuck courses following the step illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 5 but correspending to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrating the initial clearing course sequence;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 illustratin the first course sequence of the regular yarn knit and tuck operation;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 but corresponding to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 9 illustrating the clearing and elastic yarn interlacing course between the alternating sequences of the regular yarn knit and tuck operation;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but corresponding to FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating the the alternate course sequence of the regular yarn knit and tuck operation; and

,radial positioning of the sinkers.

' courses of elastic yarn 30.

FIG. 14 is a partial elevation view of a stocking having an elastic top knit by the invention method.

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, the knitting method of the invention is illustrated as effected on a sinker top circular knitting machine, such as a Crawford machine, having radially movable sinkers 10 formed with nebs 11 spaced from stitch drawing platforms .12 to form throats 13. The sinkers have butts 14 engaging a cam ring controlling The sinkers shown in the drawings are illustrative only and sinkers differing in detail may be used with effectiveness.

Sinkers 10 cooperate with a cylindrical bank of latch needles movable in longitudinal slots in the usual needle cylinder and arranged to be projected and retracted between the sinkers 10. Of these needles, all of which are identical except'for the lengths of their butts, alternate needles are designated 20 and the intermediate needles This is for more ready reference in describing the coursesequences.

Each needle 20 or 25, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a hook 21 on its upper end and a latch 22 pivoted on shank 23 and arranged to be closed and opened relative to hook '21 by the loops about the needle shank or the new yarn in the needle hook. Shanks 23, in the usual manner, have butts engageable with the usual stitch cams and with movable selector cams or pattern wheels associated with the stitch cams, as is customary in circular is fed, through a feeding device 31, to the hooks 21 of alternate needles 2 which are raised only to the tuck position to catch the elastic yarn. Intervening needles 25 pass at a sufliciently low position as to miss the elastic yarn at the interlacing position. All needles pass the knitting position Without clearing, and thus the elastic yarn is accumulated in the sinker throats, as shown in FIG. 3, in front of alternate needles 20 and in back of .intervening needles 25 during the selvedge courses. In a specific example, this interlacing of elastic yarn 30 is continued for four courses without needles 20, 25 forming stitches, although a greater or less number of such courses may be used. 7

Referring again to this specific example, after four courses of elastic yarn 30 have been laid beneath nebs 11 and in front of needles 20 and inback of needles 25,

alternate needles 20 are raised to'thefull knit position and intermediate needles 25 are raised to the tuck stitch position, with regular, non-elastic, or main yarn 35 being fed toall the needles, as shown in FIGS-4 and 5.. The

yarn 30. As the alternate needles have .beenraised to the full knit position, their latches are closed duringretraction of the needles by the stitch cam and thus cast off the For the next three courses, forexample, the .alternate needles 20 are raised to the knit position and the inter- -mediate Ineedles 25 to the tuck position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Both elastic yarn.30 and regular yarn 35 may be 'fed to the needles during these courses at the .interl-ace and regular iknitting feed positionsrespectively, elastic yarn 'thus being interlaced into each course.

Needles 20 form full stitches, which are cast off, and needles 25 formand .hold the tuck stitches whichare not cast off.

Thenext'course is a clearing course in which all the 7 needles are raised to the knit position, fed both elastic' yarn 30 and regular yarn 35, and then retracted by the stitch cam to cast off all the previously formed stitches.

This course, shown in FIG. 8, completes the starting of the stocking top. It should be noted that the specific number of courses in each "top starting sequence may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, and that an entirely different top starting procedure may be used.

After completion of the starting of the stocking top as just described, a'repetitive sequence is used to complete the stocking top. Following the described clearing course, three courses are knit with the regular yarn 35 only. In each of these courses, alternate needles 20 are raised to the tuck position and intermediate needles '25 to the knit position, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Needles'20 thus gather three tuck stitches and needles 25 form and cast off three full stitches.

Next, and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, all the needles are raised'to the stitch position to clear their latches while being fed regular yarn 35. At the same time, elastic yarn 30 is interlaced in front and back of every otherneedle and under nebs 11, the elastic yarn thus being laid between stitches of the fabric in the same manner as shown and described in Page US. Patent 2,117,208.

Following the clearing course, alternate needles 20 are raised to the knit position, and intermediate needles only to the tuck position. All needles are fed regular yarn 35 only, as shown in FIG. 13. .This continues for three courses.

In the next, or fourth course sequence, all needles are raised to the knit position to clear their latches, and are fed both regular yarn 35 and elastic yarn 30, this being a clearing course in which elastic yarn is interlaced in stitches of the fabric. The sequence is then repeated.

Summarized succinctly, the knitting repetitive sequence for completing the stocking top involves the following steps: a

(1) A pre-setnumber of courses of regular yarn only, withalternate needles forming tuck stitches and intermediate needles forming full stitches;

.(2) A needle clearing course with elastic yarn interlaced in stitches of the fabrics;

'(3) The same pre-set number of courses of regular yarn only, with alternate needles forming full stitches and intermediate needles forming tuck stitches;

. (4) A needle clearing course as in step 2.

As a-result of this procedure, the elastic yarn 30 interlaced in the clearing courses has a tendency to gather the fabric and make the tucking course between knitted loops Pucker up. These puckers 4-1 in stocking 40 (FIG. 14) are alternated in successive rows, making an evenly puckered raised pattern on the stocking top.

As an alternative procedure in starting the top, the clearing course terminating the starting sequence, which elastic yarn is interlaced in the non-elastic yarn stitches, may be repeated severaltimes in place of the tuck stitch courses following the selvedge.

While the invention has been described as involving knit stitches formed by every other or alternate needle and the tuck stitches formed by the in-between or intermediate needles, this is exemplaryonly. For example, the sequence may comprise forming tuck stitches on every fourth needle and then on the interveningfourth needles.

In other words where the term alternate needle is used interlaced in every other needle while the tucks are in While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. For example, the clear course may be eliminated, the elastic yarn being interlaced into one of the border tuck courses.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of knitting an elastic-topped stocking, characterized by alternating raised patterns, comprising interlacing an elastic yarn under tension in spaced courses and to needles spaced by a uniform number of separating needles; the courses intervening between the interlaced elastic yarn courses comprising, in the courses following alternate interlaced elastic yarn courses, multi-course tuck stitches on alternate needles and, in the courses following intermediate interlaced elastic yarn courses, multi-course tuck stitches on needles intermediate the alternate needles.

2. The method of knitting an elastic-topped stocking, characterized by a distinct appearance comprising feeding an elastic yarn under tension in spaced courses and to needles in said courses spaced by a uniform number of separating needles; following each alternate interlaced elastic yarn course, forming a predetermined number of courses of tuck stitches on alternate needles in the tuck stitch courses; and following each intermediate interlaced elastic yarn course, forming, on intermediate needles be- 6 tween said alternate needles, a series of courses of tuck stitches; thereby to form alternating raised patterns providing such distinct appearance.

3. The method of knitting an elastic-topped stocking, characterized by a regular arrangement of alternating raised patterns, comprising interlacing an elastic yarn into alternate needles in one course; forming plural rows of stitches, in which rows needles spaced by a uniform number of separating needles are successively tucked; then interlacing an elastic thread into alternate needles in a following course; then forming plural rows of knit stitches, in which rows needles, intermediate the needles tucked in the first-mentioned plural rows, are successively tucked; and repeating the foregoing sequence throughout the extent of the elastic top.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,100,861 Lochhead Nov. 30, 1937 2,117,208 Page et a1 May 10, 1938 2,731,819 Crawford Jan. 24, 1956 2,881,603 Vendetti Apr. 14, 1959 2,887,860 Bellman May 26, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 475,760 Great Britain Nov. 25, 1937 

